Gross Bombs: NFL Props for Week 16
Josh Gross
There are many paths you can take in a fantasy football draft. I recently broke these down and you can check them out in the “Roadmap” fantasy football draft strategy article. If you end up going running back heavy in the early rounds, you’ll need to have a plan of attack in place for wide receivers to start targeting in the sixth round and beyond. The good news is that I put together that list based on current ADP data from Sleeper.
Below you will find 29 wide receivers to target if you go RB-early in 2023 fantasy football drafts. While I included their current ADP, don’t take that information as a recommendation for where you should draft them. Be sure to use a set of fantasy football tiers, or better yet, my draft personal board in our fantasy football cheat sheets so that you can see their value during your actual drafts.
Of course, don’t forget that you can check out all of our fantasy football rankings and fantasy football projections. Rankings are included as part of our Fantasy+ Subscription. Along with rankings and projections, you’ll also get access to our Fantasy Football Game Plan Draft Guide and much more. Promo Code “RATPACK” will get you 10% off on any purchase.
Wide Receivers to Target If You Go RB Early
Chris Godwin, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
ADP 6.02
Yes, there are plenty of questions hanging over the Tampa offense following Tom Brady’s retirement. However, Chris Godwin is more than capable of putting up fringe WR2 numbers even with some combination of Baker Mayfield and Kyle Trask under center.
Brandon Aiyuk, San Francisco 49ers
ADP 6.07
He’s coming off a breakout season where he topped 1,000 receiving for the first time in his professional career, yet Brandon Aiyuk is available 2-3 rounds after teammate Deebo Samuel. He’s a YAC monster who has proven to mesh well with Brock Purdy. While Purdy isn’t fully ready yet, all reports suggest he will be by the start of the season.
Michael Pittman, Indianapolis Colts
ADP 6.09
The Rodney Dangerfield of wide receivers, Michael Pittman is getting no respect after posting a hefty 99 catches last season. And he did so despite the Colts’ woeful quarterback situation. While we don’t know exactly what new quarterback Anthony Richardson will be this season, he does bring a much higher ceiling to the equation for Pittman this year.
Tyler Lockett, Seattle Seahawks
ADP 6.11
If Pittman is Rodney Dangerfield, I don’t know what that makes Tyler Lockett. He’s been one of the most consistent receivers in the league over the last half-decade, topping 1,000 yards in four of those five seasons with a whopping 45 touchdowns during that span. Sure, the presence of Jaxon Smith-Njigba could funnel some work away, but Lockett still screams value in this range.
Mike Williams, Los Angeles Chargers
ADP 6.12
Sure, he isn’t the most consistent option from a weekly standpoint, but Mike Williams has shown a proven high ceiling over the course of his career. He should also benefit from a more aggressive Chargers offense under new coordinator Kellen Moore.
Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Seattle Seahawks
ADP 7.06
The rookie will start his career as the No. 3 wide receiver behind DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett in Seattle. However, there’s very little competition for targets beyond those two in the Seahawks offense. With an Amon-Ra St. Brown-esque skill set, Jaxon Smith-Njigba a very intriguing fantasy asset who should be in the WR3 fantasy mix right from the jump.
Diontae Johnson, Pittsburgh Steelers
ADP 7.07
You don’t need to tell me Diontae Johnson didn’t score any touchdowns last season. I certainly know. But I also knew it at this time last year when you told me that Miles Sanders didn’t score any touchdowns in 2021. Like Sanders did last season, Johnson is a good bet to show upward regression in touchdown efficiency and gives you good bang for your buck.
George Pickens, Pittsburgh Steelers
ADP 7.08
Unlike his teammate Diontae Johnson, George Pickens doesn’t come with a particularly high floor. However, his ceiling is enormous, and he already flashed that upside with a beautiful catch-and-run touchdown where he forced about 500 missed tackles in the span of a few seconds. It could be a wild ride, but the reward is worth the risk with Pickens.
Jordan Addison, Minnesota Vikings
ADP 7.11
Similar to fellow rookie Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Jordan Addison figures to be third in the pecking order for the Vikings behind Justin Jefferson and T.J. Hockenson. However, he’s a very different type of player than Smith-Njigba. Addison offers more of a downfield profile that lends itself to some potential big fantasy weeks. At the same time, it also means a lower weekly floor.
Jahan Dotson, Washington Commanders
ADP 8.04
The biggest question for Jahan Dotson heading into this season is what the Commanders are going to do at quarterback. Sam Howell seems to be in the driver’s seat to start the season, but there could be a short leash with Jacoby Brissett also on the roster. Neither signal caller inspires much confidence, but Dotson is just too good to not consider in this range.
Treylon Burks, Tennessee Titans
ADP 8.05
DeAndre Hopkins’ signing really took the wind out of Treylon Burks’ sails heading into this season, but that doesn’t mean we should take him off our boards. The second-year man flashed a high ceiling down the stretch last season and should benefit from Hopkins commanding the attention of opposing defenses. The Titans are run-heavy, but Burks comes with enough juice to offer good value in the middle rounds.
Quentin Johnston, Los Angeles Chargers
ADP 8.11
Quentin Johnston comes with a few more questions that fellow rookies Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Jordan Addison because he’ll likely start out his career as the No. 4 target in the Chargers offense. Keenan Allen, Mike Williams and Austin Ekeler all figure to be ahead of him. However, the TCU product is big and as dynamic as they come after the catch. Taking a shot on his ceiling in this range could pay dividends if he’s able to exceed our initial expectations.
Zay Flowers, Baltimore Ravens
ADP 9.08
The Ravens aren’t going to be a pass-heavy offense under new coordinator Todd Monkin, but Zay Flowers is still very intriguing in the middle rounds. With Odell Beckham coming to the end of his career and Rashod Bateman seemingly always injured, there’s a world where Flowers is Lamar Jackson’s top wide receiver. Of course, that would still be second in the target pecking order behind Mark Andrews, but he’d almost certainly outplay his ADP if that happens.
Additional Late-Round Options
Courtland Sutton – ADP 10.05
Allen Lazard – ADP 10.12
Skyy Moore – ADP 12.01
Darnell Mooney – ADP 12.07
Rashee Rice – ADP 12.09
Jonathan Mingo – ADP 13.04
Romeo Doubs – ADP 14.10
Nico Collins – ADP 14.10
Zay Jones – ADP 15.02
John Metchie – ADP 16.10
Rashid Shaheed – ADP 17.05
Alec Pierce – ADP 17.07
Jayden Reed – ADP 17.09
Donovan Peoples-Jones – ADP 18.01
Parris Campbell – ADP 18.11
Marquez Valdes-Scantling – ADP 18.12
